PHOTOS: Local Teen Band Performs at Celebrate Gaithersburg Festival

Submitted to Patch by Angela Buck

"Sudden Impact" is a local teen band hitting the stage with high energy performances of original songs as well as unique arrangements to well known songs.

The band has been performing locally for the last year and met while honing their individual crafts at Impact Performing Arts, a music and dance studio in Gaithersburg. Sudden Impact is the first band under Artistic Director Pamela Parker, in a newly developed program called Rock U. at Impact that is geared towards educating musicians and providing them the opportunity to perform in a number of venues. 

The band includes Sierra Buck, the 13-year-old lead vocalist and songwriter, who currently attends Lakelands Park Middle School. Sierra has been involved in music since the age of 6; her background includes training in classical piano and guitar, as well as vocals and songwriting.

Other band members include 16-year-old Nick Poto, lead guitarist, who began as a self-taught musician, and is now studying at Impact. Nick's musical background includes drums, piano and bass guitar.

On the drums is 16-year-old percussionist Michael Felber, who has performed with several bands in the Potomac area. Michael's musical background also includes ukulele, bass guitar and vocals.

Drew Hollins, the band's 16-year-old keyboardist, has been involved in music since the age of 10. His background includes training in classical piano and 2 years of keyboard at Impact.

On bass guitar is 16-year-old Alec Young. Alec is also proficient in guitar and vocals and has been involved in music for the last five years.

Poto, Felber and Hollins attend Rockville's Thomas S. Wootton High School, route: {:controller=>"listings", :action=>"show", :id=>"thomas-s-wootton-high-school"} --> and Young attends Gaithersburg's